Disney Universe is aimed to be an accessible, pick-up-and-play action title with a co-operative focus. As such, it's dead simple to play, with face buttons allowing jump (and double jump) abilities, the option to pick up items and of course a one-button attack system, which can be tapped to unleash simple combos to clear away enemies, which appear in droves whenever players come across an open area. Not only are players working together to progress, they're also competing for collectables and side objectives, and the chance to pick up and throw each other or use environmental traps makes it inherently boisterous to play. In terms of its approach in gameplay and co-operative shenanigans its closest relation is perhaps the LEGO games, which is most certainly a good thing.

One of two playable levels on offer was Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, a visually striking world with moody purples, bizarre shapes and a focus on solving puzzles. Players have to pick up stopwatches to reverse time in certain areas, restoring missing bridges and giant cobwebs to access new areas. Giant hats act as spring pads, and while the oversized headpieces can be dragged with one player, two or more people on hand speeds up the process considerably. Communication is also needed to get pieces to line-up properly, as occasionally players are divided between paths and each require multiple elements to progress to the exit.

If the Alice stage was a solid example of the co-operative gameplay on offer, then the following Monsters Inc. world is definitely the competitive slice. A far more frantic and action-packed affair, players have to work their way through the film's recognisable door production factory, with on-rail doors rushing over pathways from all directions, knocking untimely players off ledges in the process. It's a scramble in each attempt to reach the next safe area, and each new section gets more creative with doorways, turning them into revolving windmills, and later, a bridge that can be collapsed using pressure pads on either side, providing a perfect opportunity to get one over your friends.

As well as simple and enjoyable stages to play through, there's a number of side excursions to keep an eye on that boost replayability. Levels will sometimes take a break whenever an arcade machine is found, triggering mini-games such as avoiding falling bombs for a short amount of time. There's also a persistent element of upgrading suit abilities and tools, which are unique to the 40 costumes available. While the extent and structure of the upgrades wasn't discussed, a weapon power-up was found in a regular treasure chest, suggesting a rush to open them before your team mates whenever they appear on-screen.

As well as scalable difficulty settings and unique content for single and multiplayer sessions, there will be a large focus on downloadable content, offering new worlds, costumes and items after release. Between these aspects and sandwiching so many franchises it's new ground for Disney, and while at this stage it's difficult to tell how all those elements will all come together, Disney Universe certainly looks to be a ton of fun when played with other people.

Disney Universe will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and Wii this Autumn.